Global Cost Estimating Manager

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In this position... 

Global Cost Estimating Manager:  Global lead within Cost Estimating, interfacing with key stakeholders in Purchasing (Supply Chain), Product Development (including Programs), Material Cost, and Finance, for all matters related to part costs for commodities in their assigned VHM—serve as the lead cost consultant.

• Global lead within Cost Estimating, interfacing with key stakeholders in Purchasing (Supply Chain), Product Development (including Programs), Material Cost, and Finance, for all matters related to part costs for commodities in their assigned VHM—serve as the lead cost consultant.
• Actively engage & participate in Matched Pair & vehicle program teams, fostering effective and collaborative relationships to ensure value-added Cost Estimating support is provided.
• Lead and manage their Global Cost Estimating Team across all regions (direct for US and MX, matrix for all other countries).  Provide management oversight to the entire team of LL6 Supervisors and GSR Cost Estimators based in the United States and Mexico.
• Continuously develop team to maintain expertise on pace with technological advancement, further their own career advancement, and maximize their contributions to the company.
• Ensure reasonable, physicals-based, Best-In-Class assumptions for part manufacturing of their VHM’s commodities, and convincingly convey principles to stakeholders & partners.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of differences between Activity Based Costing, volume-based costing, and “Should Cost”.  Provide technical guidance and variance explanations between ABC, suppliers’ costing methodologies, and “Should Cost” estimates.
• Perform fixed cost analyses on volume fluctuations at the commodity level.
• Facilitate and participate on supplier plant visits, preferably with Supply Chain and STA, to support benchmarking, data gathering, training, negotiations, or other activities as needed to ensure physicals-based cost estimates, quantifiable gap analyses, and viable cost reductions.
• Provide negotiation support to Supply Chain as they engage senior supplier representatives to achieve material cost reductions.
• Ensure alignment of cost estimating methodology, process, and data across all regions and among all Estimators within their Global VHM team.
• Deliver robust cost estimates and analyses in support of Program Lifecycle, TVM, Benchmarking, etc., as required to drive design and commercial cost reductions.
• Develop and deliver executive presentations to LL4-LL2 management, that are concise, relevant, and informative regarding design and commercial gap analyses based on key findings from studies and exercises conducted.
• Ensure VHM / Regional team develops expertise in new technologies, applications, and manufacturing processes through benchmarking and training.
• Create an employee environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion; and attracts, develops, and retains competent, empowered, engaged, and motivated people. 
• Adhere to Human Resources policies and processes including Performance+, quarterly check-ins, compensation planning, etc.  Support personnel development through coaching, counselling and CDAT representation and advocacy.

The following skills and experiences are Required qualifications for this role:

• Bachelor of Science / Engineering or academic equivalent, MBA / MS preferred
• 5 years prior Cost Estimating experience within Ford and/or the supply base
• Knowledge of Cost Estimating systems and applications (FACTON, GRIMM, Ready Reckoner, TVM-ER, etc)
• 5 years prior supervisory role—coaching, counseling, and developing people
• Operational experience in OEM or supplier component manufacturing processes
• Strong experience collaborating with Supply Chain, Product Development, program teams, Finance, and the supply base
• Strong experience working with partners in different countries and of different cultures
• Strong experience developing and delivering executive level presentations
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally to support global team
• Ability to speak and write in the English language fluently to effectively communicate with global teams

The following skills and experiences are Preferred qualifications for this role:

• MBA / MS degree or equivalent preferred
• Six Sigma Greenbelt and Lean certifications preferred
• Knowledge of people management skills
• Knowledge of GPDS timeline and Cost